Peer and Adult Companion Helmet Use Is Associated with Bicycle Helmet Use by Children

This article reports on a study undertaken to examine whether the helmet status of riding companions (child or adult) influences helmet use by children (aged 5–14 years). The study is part of a larger prospective observational survey that was conducted in a defined urban region of Toronto, Canada (1990–1997, 1999, and 2001). Observation sites included school yards, parks, major intersections, and residential streets. Of the 2,094 children who were observed riding a bicycle, 50% were riding alone, 36% were riding with at least 1 child companion, and 14% were riding with at least 1 adult companion. Compared with riding alone, children were less likely to wear a helmet when riding with nonhelmeted child companions and were more than twice as likely to wear a helmet when riding with either helmeted child companions or adult companions. The authors conclude by calling for increased efforts toward improving adult helmet use and children's perceptions and attitudes toward helmet use. Bicycle helmet legislation that excludes adults may diminish the opportunity for adults to role-model positively health behaviors for children.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/00314005
• Authors:
  • Khambalia, Amina
  • Macarthur, Colin
  • Parkin, Patricia C
• Publication Date: 2005-10

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: References; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 939-942
• Serial:
  • Pediatrics
  • Volume: 116
  • Issue Number: 4
  • Publisher: American Academy of Pediatrics
  • ISSN: 0031-4005
  • EISSN: 1098-4275
  • Serial URL: http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Adults; Behavior modification; Bicycle helmets; Bicycling; Children; Cyclists; Laws and legislation; Peer groups
• Uncontrolled Terms: Role models
• Geographic Terms: Toronto (Canada)
• Subject Areas: Highways; Law; Pedestrians and Bicyclists; Safety and Human Factors; I10: Economics and Administration; I83: Accidents and the Human Factor; I84: Personal Injuries;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01042684
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Feb 10 2007 10:25AM